Traveling to China to study Taiji (T'ai Chi) and other forms of Qigong (Ch'i Kung) is a transformative experience. Some who have done so will tell you about the bliss of studying with authentic teachers in authentic surroundings. Others, will tell you how hard it is to travel in China. China is changing and travel there is improving all the time. There are some excellent institutes for study in China.

If you study in China go with someone who has been there several times before. You do not want to be on a trial run in China. The only other positive situation is that you personally have friends in China who will take care of everything.

It is absolutely not necessary to go to China to learn Taiji or Qigong. Excellent resources are available in most countries in the world.

Study in China will, however, transform you belief systems. In the Western world it is very much a question, "What is this Qigong?" Westerners, generally, are very new to this immense and fascinating subject. In China you are exposed to a culture that has been seriously refining Qigong for a long, long time, some experts argue up to 10,000 years. The Shanghai Cancer Recovery Society has over 5.000 members who have recovered from cancer. They enthusiastically announce "Cancer Does Not Equal Death!"

Meeting people who were diagnosed with cancer 5, 10, 30 years ago builds powerful belief. Powerful belief strengthens Qi (Chi). Strong Qi heals disease. The healing power of meeting people who have healed themselves is profound. In China there are millions of these stories, here in the West such stories are less common. Experiencing Qigong and Taiji in their natural habitat is a fantastic experience. But it is not necessary.